Physical media is important to me. I still regularly purchase Blu-rays, DVDs, CDs, and LPs. I like having a media library that I can access at any time. I want art and design I can touch and admire. I want special features and bonus material. I want my own organizational methods. I also know that eventually these pieces of physical media will be seen as archival items -- preserving hard copies of art works that might be solely available as streams or files in the near feature. We might be too close to them to think that way now, but, it's true. Now, however, it is very, very rare for a low-budget American film to secure a physical release in any form. A handful of distributors, like Factory 25 and Oscilloscope, are keeping physical releases possible. Still, many independent films that make it to iTunes and Netflix Instant never exist in disc form for public consumption. Typically, digital-centric distributors require physical media rights in their deals with no intention of ever issuing disc releases . This means that distribution contracts often prohibit filmmakers from making their own discs, even if their distributor doesn't want to. It's screwed up.

One of the few perks of self-distribution is being able to do whatever the fuck you want. I wanted to make SABBATICAL Blu-rays. So, I did. 145 total copies will be made. ONLY 75 will be available to the public for purchase. The rest are for our Indiegogo backers, our cast & crew, and a handful of video rental stores. Madison's Four Star Video Cooperative already has its copies. They should be on shelves for rental in the coming days. Once I finalize which rental stores will be stocking copies, I'll let everyone know. I'm very excited to take a picture of SABBATICAL on a video store shelf. Truly a teenage dream come true. For backers and cast/crew folks, discs will be coming your way as soon as I can burn them and ship 'em out. Expect emails soon!